JAKAVI Oral solution Ref.[114649] Active ingredients: Ruxolitinib

Myelosuppression

Treatment with Jakavi can cause haematological adverse drug reactions, including thrombocytopenia, anaemia and neutropenia. A complete blood count, including a white blood cell count differential, must be performed before initiating therapy with Jakavi.

Thrombocytopenia is generally reversible and is usually managed by reducing the dose or temporarily withholding Jakavi (see sections 4.2 and 4.8). However, platelet transfusions may be required as clinically indicated.

Patients developing anaemia may require blood transfusions. Dose modifications or interruption for patients developing anaemia may also need to be considered.

Patients with a haemoglobin level below 10.0 g/dl at the beginning of the treatment have a higher risk of developing a haemoglobin level below 8.0 g/dl during treatment compared to patients with a higher baseline haemoglobin level (79.3% versus 30.1%). More frequent monitoring of haematology parameters and of clinical signs and symptoms of Jakavi-related adverse drug reactions is recommended for patients with baseline haemoglobin below 10.0 g/dl.

Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <500) was generally reversible and was managed by temporarily withholding Jakavi (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).

Complete blood counts should be monitored as clinically indicated and dose adjusted as required (see sections 4.2 and 4.8).

Infections

Serious bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, viral and other opportunistic infections have occurred in patients treated with Jakavi. Patients should be assessed for the risk of developing serious infections. Physicians should carefully observe patients receiving Jakavi for signs and symptoms of infections and initiate appropriate treatment promptly. Treatment with Jakavi should not be started until active serious infections have resolved.

Tuberculosis has been reported in patients receiving Jakavi. Before starting treatment, patients should be evaluated for active and inactive (“latent”) tuberculosis, as per local recommendations. This can include medical history, possible previous contact with tuberculosis, and/or appropriate screening such as lung x-ray, tuberculin test and/or interferon-gamma release assay, as applicable. Prescribers are reminded of the risk of false negative tuberculin skin test results, especially in patients who are severely ill or immunocompromised.

Hepatitis B viral load (HBV-DNA titre) increases, with and without associated elevations in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, have been reported in patients with chronic HBV infections taking Jakavi. It is recommended to screen for HBV prior to commencing treatment with Jakavi. Patients with chronic HBV infection should be treated and monitored according to clinical guidelines.

Herpes zoster

Physicians should educate patients about early signs and symptoms of herpes zoster, advising that treatment should be sought as early as possible.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has been reported with Jakavi treatment. Physicians should be particularly alert to symptoms suggestive of PML that patients may not notice (e.g., cognitive, neurological or psychiatric symptoms or signs). Patients should be monitored for any of these new or worsening symptoms or signs, and if such symptoms/signs occur, referral to a neurologist and appropriate diagnostic measures for PML should be considered. If PML is suspected, further dosing must be suspended until PML has been excluded.

Lipid abnormalities/elevations

Treatment with Jakavi has been associated with increases in lipid parameters including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Lipid monitoring and treatment of dyslipidaemia according to clinical guidelines is recommended.

Major adverse cardiac events (MACE)

In a large randomised active-controlled study of tofacitinib (another JAK inhibitor) in rheumatoid arthritis patients 50 years of age and older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, a higher rate of MACE, defined as cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and non- fatal stroke, was observed with tofacitinib compared to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.

MACE have been reported in patients receiving Jakavi. Prior to initiating or continuing therapy with Jakavi, the benefits and risks for the individual patient should be considered particularly in patients 65 years of age and older, patients who are current or past long-time smokers, and patients with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or other cardiovascular risk factors.

Thrombosis

In a large randomised active-controlled study of tofacitinib (another JAK inhibitor) in rheumatoid arthritis patients 50 years of age and older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, a dose dependent higher rate of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) was observed with tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitors.

Events of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported in patients receiving Jakavi. In patients with MF and PV treated with Jakavi in clinical studies, the rates of thromboembolic events were similar in Jakavi and control-treated patients.

Prior to initiating or continuing therapy with Jakavi, the benefits and risks for the individual patient should be considered, particularly in patients with cardiovascular risk factors (see also section 4.4 “Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)”).

Patients with symptoms of thrombosis should be promptly evaluated and treated appropriately.

Second primary malignancies

In a large randomised active-controlled study of tofacitinib (another JAK inhibitor) in rheumatoid arthritis patients 50 years of age and older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, a higher rate of malignancies, particularly lung cancer, lymphoma, and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was observed with tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitors.

Lymphoma and other malignancies have been reported in patients receiving JAK inhibitors, including Jakavi.

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), including basal cell, squamous cell, and Merkel cell carcinoma, have been reported in patients treated with ruxolitinib. Periodic skin examination is recommended for patients who are at increased risk for skin cancer.

Special populations

Renal impairment

In GvHD patients with severe renal impairment, the starting dose of Jakavi should be reduced by approximately 50% (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Hepatic impairment

In GvHD patients with hepatic impairment not related to GvHD, the starting dose of Jakavi should be reduced by approximately 50% (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

Patients diagnosed with hepatic impairment while receiving ruxolitinib should have complete blood counts, including a white blood cell count differential, monitored at least every one to two weeks for the first 6 weeks after initiation of therapy with ruxolitinib and as clinically indicated thereafter once their liver function and blood counts have been stabilised.

Interactions

If Jakavi is to be co-administered with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or dual inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 enzymes (e.g. fluconazole), the unit dose of Jakavi should be reduced by approximately 50%, to be administered twice daily (see sections 4.2 and 4.5).

More frequent monitoring (e.g. twice a week) of haematology parameters and of clinical signs and symptoms of ruxolitinib-related adverse drug reactions is recommended while on strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or dual inhibitors of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 enzymes.

The concomitant use of cytoreductive therapies with Jakavi was associated with manageable cytopenias (see section 4.2 for dose modifications during cytopenias).

Excipients with known effect

Propylene glycol

This medicinal product contains 150 mg propylene glycol in each ml of oral solution.

Co-administration with any substrate for alcohol dehydrogenase such as ethanol may induce adverse effects in children less than 5 years old.

Parahydroxybenzoate

This medicinal product contains methyl and propyl parahydroxybenzoate, which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).

Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

Ruxolitinib is eliminated through metabolism catalysed by CYP3A4 and CYP2C9. Thus, medicinal products inhibiting these enzymes can give rise to increased ruxolitinib exposure.

Interactions resulting in dose reduction of ruxolitinib

CYP3A4 inhibitors

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as, but not limited to, boceprevir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir/ritonavir, ritonavir, mibefradil, nefazodone, nelfinavir, posaconazole, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, voriconazole)

In healthy subjects co-administration of ruxolitinib (10 mg single dose) with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, ketoconazole, resulted in ruxolitinib C_max and AUC that were higher by 33% and 91%, respectively, than with ruxolitinib alone. The half-life was prolonged from 3.7 to 6.0 hours with concurrent ketoconazole administration.

When administering ruxolitinib with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors the unit dose of ruxolitinib should be reduced by approximately 50%, to be administered twice daily.

Patients should be closely monitored (e.g. twice weekly) for cytopenias and dose titrated based on safety and efficacy (see section 4.2).

Dual CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 inhibitors

In healthy subjects co-administration of ruxolitinib (10 mg single dose) with a dual CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 inhibitor, fluconazole, resulted in ruxolitinib C_max and AUC that were higher by 47% and 232%, respectively, than with ruxolitinib alone.

50% dose reduction should be considered when using medicinal products which are dual inhibitors of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 enzymes (e.g. fluconazole). Avoid the concomitant use of ruxolitinib with fluconazole doses greater than 200 mg daily.

Enzyme inducers

CYP3A4 inducers (such as, but not limited to, avasimibe, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifabutin, rifampin (rifampicin), St.John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum))

Patients should be closely monitored and the dose titrated based on safety and efficacy (see section 4.2).

In healthy subjects given ruxolitinib (50 mg single dose) following the potent CYP3A4 inducer rifampicin (600 mg daily dose for 10 days), ruxolitinib AUC was 70% lower than after administration of ruxolitinib alone. The exposure of ruxolitinib active metabolites was unchanged. Overall, the ruxolitinib pharmacodynamic activity was similar, suggesting the CYP3A4 induction resulted in minimal effect on the pharmacodynamics. However, this could be related to the high ruxolitinib dose resulting in pharmacodynamic effects near Emax. It is possible that in the individual patient, an increase of the ruxolitinib dose is needed when initiating treatment with a strong enzyme inducer.

Other interactions to be considered affecting ruxolitinib

Mild or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as, but not limited to, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin,

amprenavir, atazanavir, diltiazem, cimetidine)

In healthy subjects co-administration of ruxolitinib (10 mg single dose) with erythromycin 500 mg twice daily for four days resulted in ruxolitinib C_max and AUC that were higher by 8% and 27%, respectively, than with ruxolitinib alone.

No dose adjustment is recommended when ruxolitinib is co-administered with mild or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. erythromycin). However, patients should be closely monitored for cytopenias when initiating therapy with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor.

Effects of ruxolitinib on other medicinal products

Substances transported by P-glycoprotein or other transporters

Ruxolitinib may inhibit P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) in the intestine. This may result in increased sytemic exposure of substrates of these transporters, such as dabigatran etexilate, ciclosporin, rosuvastatin and potentially digoxin. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) or clinical monitoring of the affected substance is advised.

It is possible that the potential inhibition of P-gp and BCRP in the intestine can be minimised if the time between administrations is kept apart as long as possible.

A study in healthy subjects indicated that ruxolitinib did not inhibit the metabolism of the oral CYP3A4 substrate midazolam. Therefore, no increase in exposure of CYP3A4 substrates is anticipated when combining them with ruxolitinib. Another study in healthy subjects indicated that ruxolitinib does not affect the pharmacokinetics of an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. Therefore, it is not anticipated that the contraceptive efficacy of this combination will be compromised by co-administration of ruxolitinib.

Pregnancy

There are no data from the use of Jakavi in pregnant women.

Animal studies have shown that ruxolitinib is embryotoxic and foetotoxic. Teratogenicity was not observed in rats or rabbits. However, the exposure margins compared to the highest clinical dose were low and the results are therefore of limited relevance for humans (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. As a precautionary measure, the use of Jakavi during pregnancy is contraindicated (see section 4.3).

Women of childbearing potential/Contraception

Women of child-bearing potential should use effective contraception during the treatment with Jakavi. In case pregnancy should occur during treatment with Jakavi, a risk/benefit evaluation must be carried out on an individual basis with careful counselling regarding potential risks to the foetus (see section 5.3).

Breast-feeding

Jakavi must not be used during breast-feeding (see section 4.3) and breast-feeding should therefore be discontinued when treatment is started. It is unknown whether ruxolitinib and/or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. A risk to the breast-fed child cannot be excluded. Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in animals have shown excretion of ruxolitinib and its metabolites in milk (see section 5.3).

Fertility

There are no human data on the effect of ruxolitinib on fertility. In animal studies, no effect on fertility was observed.

Jakavi has no or negligible sedating effect. However, patients who experience dizziness after the intake of Jakavi should refrain from driving or using machines.

Summary of the safety profile

Acute GvHD

The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions in REACH2 (adult and adolescent patients) were thrombocytopenia, anaemia, neutropenia, increased alanine aminotransferase and increased aspartate aminotransferase. The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions in the pool of paediatric patients (adolescents from REACH2 and paediatric patients from REACH4) were anaemia, neutropenia, increased alanine aminotransferase, hypercholesterolaemia and thrombocytopenia.

Haematological laboratory abnormalities identified as adverse drug reactions in REACH2 (adult and adolescent patients) and in the pool of paediatric patients (REACH2 and REACH4) included thrombocytopenia (85.2% and 55.1%), anaemia (75.0% and 70.8%) and neutropenia (65.1% and 70.0%), respectively. Grade 3 anaemia was reported in 47.7% of patients in REACH2 and in 45.8% of patients in the paediatric pool. Grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia were reported in 31.3% and 47.7% of patients in REACH2 and in 14.6% and 22.4% of patients in the paediatric pool, respectively. Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia were reported in 17.9% and 20.6% of patients in REACH2 and in 32.0% and 22.0% of patients in the paediatric pool, respectively.

The most frequent non-haematological adverse drug reactions in REACH2 (adult and adolescent patients) and in the pool of paediatric patients (REACH2 and REACH4) were cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (32.3% and 31.4%), sepsis (25.4% and 9.8%), urinary tract infections (17.9% and 9.8%), hypertension (13.4% and 17.6%) and nausea (16.4% and 3.9%), respectively.

The most frequent non-haematological laboratory abnormalities identified as adverse drug reactions in REACH2 (adult and adolescent patients) and in the pool of paediatric patients (REACH2 and REACH4) were increased alanine aminotransferase (54.9% and 63.3%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (52.3% and 50.0%) and hypercholesterolaemia (49.2% and 61.2%), respectively. The majority were of grade 1 and 2, however grade 3 increased alanine aminotransferase was reported in 17.6% of patients in REACH2 and 27.3% of patients in the paediatric pool.

Discontinuation due to adverse events, regardless of causality, was observed in 29.4% of patients in REACH2 and in 21.6% of patients in the paediatric pool.

Chronic GvHD

The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions in REACH3 (adult and adolescent patients) were anaemia, hypercholesterolemia and increased aspartate aminotransferase. The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions in the pool of paediatric patients (adolescents from REACH3 and paediatric patients from REACH5) were neutropenia, hypercholesterolaemia and increased alanine aminotransferase.

Haematological laboratory abnormalities identified as adverse drug reactions in REACH3 (adult and adolescent patients) and in the pool of paediatric patients (REACH3 and REACH5) included anaemia (68.6% and 49.1%), neutropenia (36.2% and 59.3%), and thrombocytopenia (34.4% and 35.2%), respectively. Grade 3 anaemia was reported in 14.8% of patients in REACH3 and in 17.0% of patients in the paediatric pool. Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia were reported in 9.5% and 6.7% of patients in REACH3 and in 17.3% and 11.1% of patients in the paediatric pool, respectively. Grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia were reported in 5.9% and 10.7% of adult and adolescent patients in REACH3 and in 7.7% and 11.1% of patients in the paediatric pool, respectively.

The most frequent non-haematological adverse drug reactions in REACH3 (adult and adolescent patients) and in the pool of paediatric patients (REACH3 and REACH5) were hypertension (15.0% and 14.5%) and headache (10.2% and 18.2%), respectively.

The most frequent non-haematological laboratory abnormalities identified as adverse drug reactions in REACH3 (adult and adolescent patients) and in the pool of paediatric patients (REACH3 and REACH5) were hypercholesterolaemia (52.3% and 54.9%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (52.2% and 45.5%) and increased alanine aminotransferase (43.1% and 50.9%). The majority were grade 1 and 2, however grade 3 laboratory abnormalities reported in the pool of paediatric patients included increased alanine aminotransferase (14.9%) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (11.5%).

Discontinuation due to adverse events, regardless of causality, was observed in 18.1% of patients in REACH3 and in 14.5% of patients in the paediatric pool.

Tabulated list of adverse drug reactions from clinical studies

The safety of Jakavi in acute GvHD patients was evaluated in the phase 3 study REACH2 and in the phase 2 study REACH4. REACH2 included data from 201 patients ≥12 years of age initially randomised to Jakavi (n=152) and patients who received Jakavi after crossing over from the best available therapy (BAT) arm (n=49). The median exposure upon which the adverse drug reaction frequency categories were based was 8.9 weeks (range 0.3 to 66.1 weeks). In the pool of paediatric patients ≥2 years of age (6 patients in REACH2 and 45 patients in REACH4), the median exposure was 16.7 weeks (range 1.1 to 48.9 weeks).

The safety of Jakavi in chronic GvHD patients was evaluated in the phase 3 study REACH3 and in the phase 2 study REACH5. REACH3 included data from 226 patients ≥12 years of age initially randomised to Jakavi (n=165) and patients who received Jakavi after crossing over from BAT (n=61). The median exposure upon which the adverse drug reaction frequency categories were based was 41.4 weeks (range 0.7 to 127.3 weeks). In the pool of paediatric patients ≥2 years of age (10 patients in REACH3 and 45 patients in REACH5), the median exposure was 57.1 weeks (range 2.1 to 155.4 weeks).

In the clinical study programme the severity of adverse drug reactions was assessed based on the CTCAE, defining grade 1=mild, grade 2=moderate, grade 3=severe, grade 4=life-threatening or disabling, grade 5=death.

Adverse drug reactions from clinical studies in acute and chronic GvHD (Table 5) are listed by MedDRA system organ class. Within each system organ class, the adverse drug reactions are ranked by frequency, with the most frequent reactions first. In addition, the corresponding frequency category for each adverse drug reaction is based on the following convention: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1 000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000); very rare (<1/10 000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Table 5. Frequency category of adverse drug reactions reported in clinical studies in GvHD:

¹ Frequency is based on new or worsened laboratory abnormalities compared to baseline.
² Pancytopenia is defined as haemoglobin level <100 g/l, platelet count <100 × 10⁹/l, and neutrophil count <1.5 × 10⁹/l (or low white blood cell count of grade 2 if neutrophil count is missing), simultaneously in the same laboratory assessment.
³ CTCAE Version 4.03.
⁴ Grade ≥3 sepsis includes 20 (10%) grade 5 events in REACH2. There were no grade 5 events in the paediatric pool.
⁵ Not applicable: no cases reported
⁶ “-”: not an identified adverse drug reaction in this indication

Description of selected adverse drug reactions

Anaemia

In the phase 3 acute (REACH2) and chronic (REACH3) GvHD studies, anaemia (all grades) was reported in 75.0% and 68.6% of patients, CTCAE grade 3 was reported in 47.7% and 14.8% of patients, respectively. In paediatric patients with acute and chronic GvHD, anaemia (all grades) was reported in 70.8% and 49.1% of patients, CTCAE grade 3 was reported in 45.8% and 17.0% of patients, respectively.

Thrombocytopenia

In the phase 3 acute GvHD study (REACH2), grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia was observed in 31.3% and 47.7% of patients, respectively. In the phase 3 chronic GvHD study (REACH3), grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia was lower (5.9% and 10.7%) than in acute GvHD. The frequency of grade 3 (14.6%) and 4 (22.4%) thrombocytopenia in paediatric patients with acute GvHD was lower than in REACH2. In paediatric patients with chronic GvHD, grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia was lower (7.7% and 11.1%) than in paediatric patients with acute GvHD.

Neutropenia

In the phase 3 acute GvHD study (REACH2), grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was observed in 17.9% and 20.6% of patients, respectively. In the phase 3 chronic GvHD study (REACH3), grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was lower (9.5% and 6.7%) than in acute GvHD. In paediatric patients, the frequency of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was 32.0% and 22.0%, respectively, in acute GvHD and 17.3% and 11.1%, respectively, in chronic GvHD.

Bleeding

In the comparative period of the phase 3 acute GvHD study (REACH2), bleeding events were reported in 25.0% and 22.0% of patients in the ruxolitinib and BAT arms respectively. The sub-groups of bleeding events were generally similar between treatment arms: bruising events (5.9% in ruxolitinib vs. 6.7% in BAT arm), gastrointestinal events (9.2% vs. 6.7%) and other haemorrhage events (13.2% vs. 10.7%). Intracranial bleeding events were reported in 0.7% of patients in the BAT arm and in no patients in the ruxolitinib arm. In paediatric patients, the frequency of bleeding events was 23.5%. Events reported in ≥5% of patients were cystitis haemorrhagic and epistaxis (5.9% each). No intracranial bleeding events were reported in paediatric patients.

In the comparative period of the phase 3 chronic GvHD study (REACH3), bleeding events were reported in 11.5% and 14.6% of patients in the ruxolitinib and BAT arms respectively. The sub-groups of bleeding events were generally similar between treatment arms: bruising events (4.2% in ruxolitinib vs. 2.5% in BAT arm), gastrointestinal events (1.2% vs. 3.2%) and other haemorrhage events (6.7% vs. 10.1%). In paediatric patients, the frequency of bleeding events was 9.1%. The reported events were epistaxis, haematochezia, haematoma, post-procedural haemorrhage, and skin haemorrhage (1.8% each). No intracranial bleeding events were reported in patients with chronic GvHD.

Infections

In the phase 3 acute GvHD study (REACH2), during the comparative period, urinary tract infections were reported in 9.9% (grade ≥3, 3.3%) of patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared to 10.7% (grade ≥3, 6.0%) in the BAT arm. CMV infections were reported in 28.3% (grade ≥3, 9.3%) of patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared to 24.0% (grade ≥3, 10.0%) in the BAT arm. Sepsis events were reported in 12.5% (grade ≥3, 11.1%) of patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared to 8.7% (grade ≥3, 6.0%) in the BAT arm. BK virus infection was reported only in the ruxolitinib arm in 3 patients with one grade 3 event. During extended follow-up of patients treated with ruxolitinib, urinary tract infections were reported in 17.9% (grade ≥3, 6.5%) of patients and CMV infections were reported in 32.3% (grade ≥3, 11.4%) of patients. CMV infection with organ involvement was seen in very few patients; CMV colitis, CMV enteritis and CMV gastrointestinal infection of any grade were reported in four, two and one patients, respectively. Sepsis events, including septic shock, of any grade were reported in 25.4% (grade ≥3, 21.9%) of patients. Urinary tract infections and sepsis events were reported with lower frequency in paediatric patients with acute GvHD (9.8% each) compared to adult and adolescent patients. CMV infections were reported in 31.4% of paediatric patients (grade 3, 5.9%).

In the phase 3 chronic GvHD study (REACH3), during the comparative period, urinary tract infections were reported in 8.5% (grade ≥3, 1.2%) of patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared to 6.3% (grade ≥3, 1.3%) in the BAT arm. BK virus infection was reported in 5.5% (grade ≥3, 0.6%) of patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared to 1.3% in the BAT arm. CMV infections were reported in 9.1% (grade ≥3, 1.8%) of patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared to 10.8% (grade ≥3, 1.9%) in the BAT arm. Sepsis events were reported in 2.4% (grade ≥3, 2.4%) of patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared to 6.3% (grade ≥3, 5.7%) in the BAT arm. During extended follow-up of patients treated with ruxolitinib, urinary tract infections and BK virus infections were reported in 9.3% (grade ≥3, 1.3%) and 4.9% (grade ≥3, 0.4%) of patients, respectively. CMV infections and sepsis events were reported in 8.8% (grade ≥3, 1.3%) and 3.5% (grade ≥3, 3.5%) of patients, respectively. In paediatric patients with chronic GvHD, urinary tract infections were reported in 5.5% (grade 3, 1.8%) of patients and BK virus infection was reported in 1.8% (no grade ≥3) of patients. CMV infections occurred in 7.3% (no grade ≥3) of patients.

Elevated lipase

In the comparative period of the phase 3 acute GvHD study (REACH2), new or worsened lipase values were reported in 19.7% of patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared to 12.5% in the BAT arm; corresponding grade 3 (3.1% vs 5.1%) and grade 4 (0% vs 0.8%) increases were similar. During extended follow-up of patients treated with ruxolitinib, increased lipase values were reported in 32.2% of patients; grade 3 and 4 were reported in 8.7% and 2.2% of patients respectively. Elevated lipase was reported in 20.4% of paediatric patients (grade 3 and 4: 8.5% and 4.1%, respectively).

In the comparative period of the phase 3 chronic GvHD study (REACH3), new or worsened lipase values were reported in 32.1% of patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared to 23.5% in the BAT arm; corresponding grade 3 (10.6% vs 6.2%) and grade 4 (0.6% vs 0%) increases were similar. During extended follow-up of patients treated with ruxolitinib, increased lipase values were reported in 35.9% of patients; grade 3 and 4 were observed in 9.5% and 0.4% of patients, respectively. Elevated lipase was reported with lower frequency (20.4%, grade 3 and 4: 3.8% and 1.9%, respectively) in paediatric patients.

Paediatric patients

A total of 106 patients aged 2 to <18 years with GvHD were analysed for safety: 51 patients (45 patients in REACH4 and 6 patients in REACH2) in acute GvHD studies and 55 patients (45 patients in REACH5 and 10 patients in REACH3) in the chronic GvHD studies. The safety profile observed in paediatric patients who received treatment with ruxolitinib was similar to that observed in adult patients.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V.

Not applicable.